A powerful five-day trek across the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye has culminated in an extraordinary fundraising total of over £500,000 for breast cancer awareness. The event, organised by the young people's charity CoppaFeel! in partnership with Charity Challenge, saw 120 participants, the vast majority women, walk approximately 100km to raise vital funds and smash stigma.
A Journey of Scenery and Sisterhood
The challenge covered the stunning Trotternish peninsula, with groups traversing iconic terrain from the Quiraing's cliffs to the fairy pools beneath the Black Cuillin. While the days were long and physically demanding, featuring everything from bogs to river crossings, the atmosphere was one of unwavering support. Of the 120 walkers, 117 were female, creating a unique and raucous environment where singing Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' through horizontal rain became a morale-boosting ritual.
Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, a patron for CoppaFeel!, helped lead the groups, reminding walkers of their personal 'why'. For many, this was a tribute to the charity's founder, Kris Hallenga, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at 23 and died in 2024. The trek provided a guided entry into adventure for novices, with expert leaders from Charity Challenge ensuring safety on the mountain.
More Than a Physical Challenge
As the week progressed, the shared experience fostered deep bonds and a safe space for open conversation. Many participants had personal experience with breast cancer, either as survivors, those in treatment, or having lost loved ones. The act of walking and talking side-by-side allowed for profound, often emotional, exchanges that normalised the experience of the disease.
"People change over this week," the report notes, observing one mother who had recently finished treatment arriving emotionally fragile but leaving beaming and visibly stronger. The event created a powerful sense of mass empathy, where personal stories flowed as freely as the Highland streams.
A Celebratory and Record-Breaking Finale
The final day dawned like a festival, with glitter, tutus, and garlands adorning the walkers. The group summited Beinn Edra, where some celebrated by baring all in a symbolic act of freedom and defiance. Back at base camp in Uig, the finish line was crossed with singing, hugs, and tears of joy and exhaustion.
The fundraising achievement underscored the event's immense impact. While each participant aimed to raise £2,500, the collective effort soared past expectations. CoppaFeel!'s trekking income has grown dramatically, from £200,000 in 2017 to a target of £2 million for 2025, highlighting the booming popularity of mass-participation charity adventures since the Covid pandemic.
The success on Skye proves these events are a triple win: boosting mental health and team cohesion for participants, providing charities with crucial income and visibility, and opening up the great outdoors to a new generation of adventurers. CoppaFeel! is running four treks in 2026, including two in the UK, inviting others to join this life-affirming challenge.
